What caused your Top-Off float to malfunction?

[BJJ]

Looking for common reasons why float valves fail...

 

[gath2]

Build up of salt/kalk/coraline depending on where it located.

Snails or other critters getting caught in them.

 

[Fast Fred]

Mine ran for a year and never failed. It was made by Kent, and hooked directly to my RO system.

 

[BJJ]

Mine is the Kent as well, but Im posting this because I have heard a lot of storys about the "dangers" of using float valves for water top-off. So Im just trying to identify what the causes are to help prevent such a disaster.

 

[MIKE NY]

LifeReef here .....I have it for a few years now for kalk top off....I just keep it clean and never a failure.

 

[BJJ]

I tried purchasing a water timer, the type you use for outdoor sprinklers, anyway you can program up to 6 cycles per day. I programmed mine to open the valve twice a day for one hour, thinking that if there was a failure at least it will minimize the damage. But for some reason after the timer completes cycle 1 it doesnt bother to open for cycle 2. So far the float valve has been mre reliable than a digital timer... go figure

 

[BLockamon]

I recently purchased the JBJ level controller. I'll be setting it up in a few weeks once all my other stuff gets here.

I like the JBJ because 1) it uses two float switches and 2) it will automatically shut off the pump after 3.5--15 minutes (set with a dial on the circuit board). If the pump shuts off on time (vs. the switch) you have to manually re-set. About as bullet proof as they come, and only $100.

 

[cristhiam]

I'm using this one from autotopoff.com, if one fails the other shoud turn it off. Just clean them once a month
http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/index.htm

 

[Sk8r]

I use the autotop.com deluxe unit. Only problem I've ever had is letting the level in my topoff bucket fill higher than my sump, which will get a siphon action on down into the sump---this isn't the autotopoff's problem. It's that I need a check valve in the line, and I'm zeroing in on a source of valves: the lawn sprinkler section at Home Depot/Lowe's.

 

[ronkent]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7135134#post7135134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
I use the autotop.com deluxe unit. Only problem I've ever had is letting the level in my topoff bucket fill higher than my sump, which will get a siphon action on down into the sump---this isn't the autotopoff's problem. It's that I need a check valve in the line, and I'm zeroing in on a source of valves: the lawn sprinkler section at Home Depot/Lowe's.

I had that problem. I fixed it by drilling a small hole on the tubing on the inside of my topoff container. It breaks the cycle. Just keep it cleared of any kalk buildup and it worx like a charm.

 

[Sk8r]

Interesting! I'll try that.

 

[saltwatersmac]

or just make sure the exit of the topoff pump is higher than the container level

 

[Sk8r]

RonKent, I drilled a hole through the hose in the source bucket, and miracle of miracles, I filled said bucket to the top and it didn't siphon into the sump. Thank you! Saved me a trip to Home Depot and futzing with valves and c-clamps!

 

[jun_celis]

Like gath2 had stated above, it could be anything like an algae or whatever. My topoff has the minimum and the maximum level float. It's made by "reef fanatic". I cleaned it one time and never failed on me.

 

[microbubbles]

not to hijack, but does your topoff more or less just pour water into your sumps at a haphazardly quick way? i know my dosing pump does and i don't think all my snails and starfish appreciate it so i've gone back to gravity dosing for topoff. it's more reliable.

 

[baja_hammer2003]

top off

top off

I have had different top off`s threw the years never had a float fail most have 2 floats 1 for top off and second for safety the only thing that made 2 others fail was suction cups and tie wraps never use them suction cups don`t hold and tie wraps rot and break.

 

[ronkent]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7140174#post7140174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
RonKent, I drilled a hole through the hose in the source bucket, and miracle of miracles, I filled said bucket to the top and it didn't siphon into the sump. Thank you! Saved me a trip to Home Depot and futzing with valves and c-clamps!

Good to hear it worked for ya.

 

[SaltyMember]

I drilled a hole through the hose in the source bucket, and miracle of miracles, I filled said bucket to the top and it didn't siphon into the sump.

At what level in the hose did you drill the hole? Towards the top of the source bucket? or middle? I am trying to visualize how this would work. Is the hole above the water level in the source bucket?

 

[ronkent]

Yes the hole must be above where the water line is, other wise it will continue siphoning.

 

[tony13]

Kent float for me, 10 years never a problem. I always wonder why people shy away from them saying there trouble. I've never had any problems. ( Yea now that I jinxed myself)